At the suggestion of press officer Tony Barrow, The Beatles ended their first year of national fame by thanking the members of their UK fan club with a flexi-disc single containing a specially recorded Christmas message. So began an annual tradition that not only endured as long as they were together, but also mirrored and encapsulated their career: from the innocent fun of 1963 and 1964 to the biting cynicism of 1965, offbeat creativity of 1966, psychedelic surrealism of 1967, disparate contributions of 1968 and complete fragmentation of 1969. What starts off joyous ends up sad, with much of life in between – and guest appearances by George Martin, Mal Evans, Victor Spinetti, Yoko Ono and Tiny Tim.

“There is something magical about watching a man who has lost himself find his way back home,” ‘Eye’ magazine’s John Landau commented when reviewing Elvis’s 1968 ‘Comeback Special’. “He sang with the kind of power that people no longer expect of rock ‘n’ roll singers. He moved his body with a lack of pretension and effort that must have made Jim Morrison green with envy.”

Undertaken by the King as a make-or-break project that would either salvage his career or confine it to the backwaters where it currently resided, the show captured him laying everything on the line – vocally and emotionally. This in spite of manager Colonel Tom Parker’s insistence on an NBC Christmas special that might have appealed to only those still brave enough to watch his legendary client’s lousy films.

Director Steve Binder provided the vision, production partner Bones Howe attended to the music, and the result was a small-screen smash that grabbed viewers’ attention right at the start with a menacing close-up, striking Elvii-filled backdrop and a voice that attacked the songs with raw beauty. Topping the ratings, this show and the accompanying album made Elvis musically relevant for the first time in years.

Binder and Howe are among the interviewees in this 50th anniversary tribute to a timeless TV classic, alongside executive producer Bob Finkel, guitarist Scotty Moore, drummer D.J. Fontana and special guest Allen. J. Wiener, author of ‘Channeling Elvis: How Television Saved the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’.

“It was the finest music of his life,” Greil Marcus wrote in his book, ‘Mystery Train’. “If ever there was music that bleeds, this was it.”

Essential to the concept of the ‘International White Album Symposium’ at Monmouth University, New Jersey, was that we recorded the show in front of an audience, revisiting and merging the much-discussed topics of Episodes #2 and #4 with a couple of our mates: celebrated Beatles author Mark Lewisohn and our resident musicologist Allan Kozinn.

John Lennon and Paul McCartney each contributed 12 songs to the White Album. These could have been justifiably issued as LPs in their own right. And what stunners they would have been; filled with an eclectic array of incredible compositions and unforgettable performances that captured both men—and their bandmates—at the top of their game.

Here we review the Lennon and McCartney White Albums, comparing them with each other as well as with the legendary, recently remixed Beatles opus. In comes the warmth and freshness of a live appearance, captured for you by the STTS team. Featured tracks:

A remixed White Album, the complete stereo Esher Demos, a wide array of high-quality, previously unheard outtakes… and the album in 5.1 surround. Need we say more? Actually, we do, according this historic release the attention and analysis it so richly deserves.

A tribute to the recording engineer whose in-studio innovations helped shape The Beatles’ sound—and alter the course of popular music.

Geoffrey Emerick (born 5th December 1945, died 2nd October 2018) was just 16-years-old when, on 6th June 1962, he joined the EMI Studios on Abbey Road as a tape operator. Two days later, he attended the group’s first recording session with Ringo Starr on drums. He subsequently assisted on a number of sessions, including those for ‘She Loves You’ and ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’, before replacing Norman Smith as The Beatles’ chief engineer in early 1966 and diving straight into the deep end with the first track committed to tape for their landmark ‘Revolver’ LP: the revolutionary, now-legendary ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’. The following year, ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ won him his first of four Grammy Awards.

In this episode, Richard, Erik, Allan and Craig examine how, together with producer George Martin, Geoff helped realize The Beatles’ most far-flung creative ambitions. And there is also an enlightening interview with multi-award-winning engineer John Kurlander, who assisted Geoff on the group’s final album, ‘Abbey Road’.

The cripple impersonations, the Nazi salutes, the MBEs (received and returned), the groupies, the ‘Butcher cover’, the ‘bigger than Jesus’ controversy, the drugs, the love anthem, the naked album cover, the politically-charged lyrics, the peace campaign, the erotic artwork… However we slice and dice The Beatles’ story, it’s never boring,. What they said, sang and did still incites heated debates and disagreements five decades later. And what was deemed acceptable or unimportant back in the 1960s is often judged far more harshly today—as well as the other way around. So, diving into this often amusing, sometimes disturbing topic, we appraise things according to not only current mores, but also the era in which they took place—guaranteeing an action-packed episode… and a splendid time for all.

They’ve been labeled the Prefab Four, America’s answer to The Beatles; a manufactured group performing songs on TV and in concert that were written by accomplished composers and recorded by crack session musicians. All of which is true—up to a point. Davy Jones, Mike Nesmith, Micky Dolenz and Peter Tork boasted assorted pedigrees as actors and/or musicians, and they eventuially exerted greater control over their own career. But, as fast as they became superstars on both sides of the Atlantic, they flamed out, and to this day the debate continues regarding their musical validity and credibility. Which is where Richard, Erik, Allan and Craig enter the picture…

The music featured on this show comprises a wide array of singles, session tapes, outtakes and tracks from the albums ‘The Monkees’ (1966), ‘More of The Monkees’, ‘Headquarters’, ‘Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd.’ (all 1967), ‘The Birds, The Bees and The Monkees’ and ‘Head’ (both 1968).

Rock-solid and understated, subtle yet ballsy, inventive and full of feel—these are just some of the descriptions that have been applied to the artistry and iconic, highly influential drumming of Sir Richard Starkey, M.B.E. Now, hot on the heels of Ringo’s 78th birthday, Richard, Erik, Allan, and Craig analyse and appraise his Beatles-related contributions behind the kit—both onstage and in the studio—while discussing his musical evolution, comparing him to his contemporaries, and assessing if he was indeed the man best suited to drum for the world’s greatest rock group.

Arguably the most famous of all unfinished albums, at the center of an infamous showdown between Brian Wilson and his fellow Beach Boys, SMiLE was envisaged as a means of elevating the standard pop opus to unprecedented artistic heights. Commercial considerations, a copious intake of drugs and Brian’s rapidly deteriorating mental health put paid to that—especially after he heard The Beatles’ landmark Sgt. Pepper. For years it was alleged that he had destroyed the session tapes, yet these eventually emerged intact and a rejuvenated Brian has since performed the entire set live. So, how would SMiLE have fared if released as intended at the start of 1967? And what kind of impact might it have had on the contemporary music scene? Erik, Richard, Allan and Craig dive into this intriguing, part-tragic, ultimately inspirational topic along with special guest John Anderson, the Emmy-winning, Grammy-nominated director of numerous films featuring Brian, The Beach Boys and assorted other rock luminaries.

The Beatles played five shows in Chicago between 1964 and 1966—more than any other American city—and there was no little drama: from the total hysteria of their first gig at the International Amphitheater and staying at a Mob-run hotel during their second visit to kicking off their third and final tour with press conferences defending John’s “more popular than Jesus” remarks.

Re-live the excitement of those years via live Windy City performances by the Fab Four and on-the-spot interviews with fans, deejays, reporters, a concert promoter and a security guard, as well as the analysis of special guest Chuck Gunderson, author of the definitive two-volume ‘Some Fun Tonight! The Backstage Story of How The Beatles Rocked America: The Historic Tours of 1964 – 1966’.

http://swingingthroughthesixties.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/35761484_10155480524061651_8334038490589167616_n.jpg7201280dsrdigitalhttp://swingingthroughthesixties.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/squarelogo-01.pngdsrdigital2018-06-17 20:19:032018-06-17 20:29:02Episode #14: ‘Jesus and the Mob – The Beatles in the Windy City’

The things we loved back in the 1960s that we’re now embarrassed about, as well as the things we still love from the 1960s that we should be embarrassed about: the music, movies, TV shows, products, fashions, you name it.

Even by the standards of the 1960s, it was quite a week: the murder of peaceful-protest civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., resulting riots across the U.S.A., multilateral talk of a ceasefire in the Vietnam war, the fall of Czechoslovakia’s communist government as part of the pro-democracy movement’s ‘Prague Spring,’ the appointment of Pierre Trudeau as Canadian Prime Minister, the release of movies such as 2001: A Space Odyssey and Planet of the Apes, and a wide array of now-classic chart hits on both sides of the Atlantic.

What elements make up a psychedelic song-be it rock, pop or folk, British or American, East or West Coast? 1960s artists didn’t categorize the music. They were just pushing the envelope-lyrically, musically, technologically-while ingesting the necessary chemicals. So, differentiating between the authentic, borderline and phony is a largely subjective topic, as revealed in this episode’s acid-drenched discussion between Richard, Erik, Allan and Craig. And there’s also a brief cameo by Donovan.

“I don’t see too much difference between Rubber Soul and Revolver,” George said in the ‘Beatles Anthology’ documentary. “To me, they could be Volume One and Volume Two.”

Many might think he should have paired Revolver with Sgt. Pepper. But, bearing in mind that George wasn’t nearly as involved with Pepper, let’s view things from his perspective…

In August 1965, John and George took acid intentionally for the first time, together with Ringo. In October and November, The Beatles recorded Rubber Soul. The following month, 10 days after the album’s release, a day after the end of the group’s final UK tour, Paul took LSD for the first time (with Guinness heir Tara Browne). Less than four months later, the Revolver sessions began.

Very different albums, but within just five months of one another: ‘Volume One’ shortly after three Beatles had dropped acid; ‘Volume Two’ after Paul had done so.

Featuring ear-catching, ultra-rare audio clips, this episode will dive deep into how hallucinogens influenced not only The Beatles’ songwriting and studio techniques during this period of unsurpassed group unity, but also the attitudes and instrumentation evident on record.

This show’s just the first installment of a multi-parter because, if you do a little research, you’ll discover that it might be easier to compile a list of famous actors who, back in the 1960s, didn’t record a pop song… or album… or several of them. They were all at it, on both sides of the Atlantic, and some of the results weren’t nearly as bad as you might think. Some were actually quite good while others were at least amusing. Such is the varied selection we have here:

Just because a record’s a hit doesn’t mean it’s good. And there are many good records that never achieve chart success. This show focuses on the former: 1960s singles that cracked the top 100 in the U.S. and/or U.K.—in certain cases even topping it—yet which are universally condemned or divide opinions: some people love them, others hate them.

Incorporating several of their own choices with those of listeners, Richard and Erik bravely take a trip through an assortment of Sixties stinkers—ranging from novelty records to artistic blunders—and also recruit the Celebrated Mr. K (Allan Kozinn)to try figure out what in hell the artists and composers were thinking.Following are the featured tracks. But this is just the beginning—no way can all of the contenders fit into a single episode…

In this final installment of the STTS ‘White Album’ trilogy, Erik and Richard team up with musician Craig Bartock and musicologist Allan Kozinn to discuss the contributions by The Beatles’ lead guitarist and drummer – as well as what might have been in terms of tracks that didn’t make it onto the album. In so doing, they prove that, between them, the pair would have been capable of creating far more than just an EP!

Once again, Craig doesn’t have a track listing – but the other three do…

Pimps, drug dealers, call girls, kinky orgies involving members of the ruling class, a government minister sharing a mistress with a Russian spy, a suicide… and the Prime Minister’s resignation. This was the scandal that rocked Britain in 1963—along with The Beatles simultaneously providing an alternative form of entertainment.

Among the featured tracks:

‘From Russia with Love’ – Matt Monroe

‘Do You Want to Know a Secret’ – Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas

‘On the Rebound’ – Floyd Cramer

‘Runaway’ – Del Shannon

‘My Bonnie’ – Tony Sheridan & The Beatles

‘You Don’t Know’ – Helen Shapiro

‘Tower of Strength’ – Frankie Vaughan

‘Come Outside’ – Mike Sarne with Wendy Richard

‘Telstar’ – The Tornados

‘All I Do is Dream’ – Mandy Rice-Davies

‘Please Please Me’ – The Beatles

‘Dance On’ – The Shadows

‘Let’s Dance’ – Chris Montez

‘Summer Holiday’ – Cliff Richard

‘The Cruel Sea’ – The Dakotas

‘How Do You Do It’ – Gerry and the Pacemakers

‘From Me to You’ – The Beatles

‘Confessin’ (That I Love You)’ – Frank Ifield

‘(You’re The) Devil in Disguise’ – Elvis Presley

‘She Loves You’ – The Beatles

‘I’ll Get You’ (live) – The Beatles

‘Nothing Has Been Proved’ – Dusty Springfield

PLUS ultra-rare clips of The Beatles performing at London’s Royal Albert Hall and Walthamstow Granada in the spring of 1963.

In this second instalment of an STTS ‘White Album’ trilogy, Richard and Erik are once again joined by musician Craig Bartock and musicologist Allan Kozinn to discuss an incredibly diverse collection of Paul McCartney tracks; ranging from novelty numbers and classic ballads to proto-grunge head-bangers and timeless rockers.

While Craig’s happy to kick things off with ‘Back in the U.S.S.R.’ and end with ‘Hey Jude’, his three colleagues have come up with their own track listings…

Not tribute songs. More like honourable mentions. Some made in jest. Some a nod and a wink (nudge-nudge, say no more). All cultural reflections of their era. Listened to and contrasted within their proper context, they tell a fascinating Sixties story, populated with colourful characters and some pretty juicy backstories…

These include Brigitte Bardot, Muhammad Ali, Martin Luther King, Sophia Loren, Phil Spector, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix, The Byrds, The Who, Ravi Shankar, The Rolling Stones, John and Robert Kennedy, Andy Warhol, Elvis Presley, Walt Disney, Doris Day, Marlene Dietrich, Liz Taylor, Lenny Bruce, The Grateful Dead, Pablo Picasso, Mary Quant, Timothy Leary… While the names go on and on, this show about them and the songs in which they’re featured is limited by the boundary of time—but not much else.

http://swingingthroughthesixties.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Episode-3-Artwork.jpg10801920Swinging Through The Sixtieshttp://swingingthroughthesixties.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/squarelogo-01.pngSwinging Through The Sixties2017-12-03 10:57:572017-12-06 19:10:03Episode #3: 'Notable Namechecks in Song'

Who else but The Beatles could produce multiple landmark albums within a landmark album? While A Hard Day’s Night was the only Fab Four long player to be penned solely by Lennon and McCartney, the ‘White Album’ can be enjoyed and analyzed as either a classic team effort or – in line with John’s recollection of the recording sessions – virtuoso individual outings within the group context.

In this first instalment of an STTS ‘White Album’ trilogy, musician Craig Bartock and musicologist Allan Kozinn join Richard and Erik to delve into the talents, circumstances, mindsets and motivations behind an edgy, experimental, bold and beautiful collection of eclectic John Lennon tracks.

What were The Beatles doing while man was landing on the moon? How did President Nixon prepare for a potential disaster? Why did some viewers assume the whole thing was a hoax? And what prompted the BBC to play a bad-luck song during the broadcast? These and other burning issues are all part of the conversation while co-hosts Erik Taros and Richard Buskin also dive into Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Easy Rider… and Carry on Camping.

Trailer

http://swingingthroughthesixties.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/STTS-1a.jpg12801920Swinging Through The Sixtieshttp://swingingthroughthesixties.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/squarelogo-01.pngSwinging Through The Sixties2017-11-03 13:24:222017-11-19 11:12:49Episode #1: ‘July 20, 1969 – Something in the Air’